The FAF AFAP Digest

Indy, Day 3

Yesterday was the third day of a great meet for me. Nationals have been somewhat difficult for me as of late (labral tear, elbow tear, insomnia, power outages, etc.) But this meet I was healthy, uninjured and got at least a semblance of shut eye. And it really paid off with 6 PRs, 3 NRs and near misses on 2 other NRs.

Day 3:

I felt pretty good during warm up, just some leg fatigue. By day three, when you're UW 15 meters for all your races, leg fatigue is inevitable.

100 back, 1:01.30, PR, Missed NR by .01:

I'm not gonna lie. I looked up at the time and was a little heartbroken. I would rather have swum a 1:01.5. My splits were good -- 29.3 & 31.9. But I didn't have the leg power on the second 50, especially the last 25, and that cost me. My turns were a little glidey (2 strokes before flipping) and my entry on my start could have been cleaner. I let myself be disappointed during my warm down and then shrugged it off. The time was still a PR and I have been the beneficiary of a .01 swing on other occasions. Plus, it will still be the AA time this year since Karlyn swam a 1:01.7 earlier this year. I knew swimming this on day 3 wouldn't be ideal, so I will have to figure out when and where to swim it rested. Certainly keeps me hungry! And I am encouraged since I still feel like my 100 training wasn't ideal this season.

I used to dislike the 50 free. But since it occurred to me that I could try SDK-ing on the start, I like it more and may start swimming it more often. I had a tad slow reaction time compared to my other swims. I took 11 kicks on the start and from the vid it looks like that took me to about 13 meters. Then, I took 9 rather than my usual 5-6 on the turn. My breakouts didn't look great (lack of access to blocks). My flutter kick/leg drive looked really solid until right at the end. I was thrilled with the time! I knew 1980 Olympian Sue Walsh had swum a 24.7 last month, so knew I had to improve on my Zones time of 24.86. Really happy with this for the final event of a 3 day meet. Ellen and Stud took vids. I think that is Teen Fort screaming at the end.

I'm going to reboot for LCM Zones in late June. I'll be moving in late July, so July and August I will likely not be as laser focused on swimming. And I have to find a place to train in Pitt. As for next SCY season, I will not go to Santa Clara -- shallow outdoor pool. I may focus on the Harvard SCY meet and Colonies Zones SCY instead. Onward!

Teen Fort did not have a great meet. She didn't taper enough. But she ended with a great race in the 200 breast, taking the win in the final 5 yards. She hadn't swam that race since age 14. Funny, that her best race was the 200 breast and mine was the 50 fly! She did enjoy the experience and meeting lots of masters. I think she will talk up masters swimming in college next year and she may swim at LCM Nats at U of Md next summer.

Comments

I think my time drops are due to 3 things mainly: (1) cumulative HIT training, (2) adding more SDKs to all races (doh, took me awhile to do this in fly and free), (3) better health (not hypo) anymore.

You left 100 fly off your list! I don't think 24 is realistic in 50 fly. Sheesh! I would like to get that 26.9 in 50 back, for sure. I could still get a cleaner start. Yes, I think I need to go out at least a half second faster in 100 back. It was day 3, and I didn't have the legs for it. I may focus more on 100s than 50s next fall. I say this, but getting myself to do those painful lactate sets is another matter. 100 free?! I would need to get better at the flip turn SDKs; those are still a work in progress. 100 breast? I'd have to learn to whip kick. Never do that ...

Leslie, Congrats on a great meet!!! I only got to see 1/2 of your swims in person, as I was done with my weekend and heading back to the west coast early on Saturday! It was great meeting you, and seeing "how you do it" underwater. It's one thing to read about it, but it's a whole other thing to see it in person!
Keep on training, and try the 200 IM or 100 Fly one day soon (you have to train for it though). I think the 200 would be good for you. Maybe a little less on the underwaters, but you could still give it a go!

Leslie, Congrats on a great meet!!! I only got to see 1/2 of your swims in person, as I was done with my weekend and heading back to the west coast early on Saturday! It was great meeting you, and seeing "how you do it" underwater. It's one thing to read about it, but it's a whole other thing to see it in person!
Keep on training, and try the 200 IM or 100 Fly one day soon (you have to train for it though). I think the 200 would be good for you. Maybe a little less on the underwaters, but you could still give it a go!

Thx James! You had a fantastic meet as well!

Is it not enough that I swam 200 IM every meet of my younger life?!

I did do 100 fly this year at Zones -- 1:00. Didn't train for it though. :-)